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This week's focus: Action

“Remember the Alamo!” Texan or not, everyone is familiar with this phrase. The famous battle lasted only 13 days, from February 23 to March 6, 1836. In the early morning of March 6, after a 90-minute battle, it was over. All the defenders were dead, including the infamous James “Jim” Bowie, William B. Travis, and David Crockett. “Remember the Alamo” became a battle cry representing resistance to oppression and the struggle for independence.

War is all too familiar in our world. Wars existed in the Bible. On this side of heaven, there will always be conflict. Just like the Alamo, Biblical battles have winners and losers. Not everyone at the Alamo perished, however. It is speculated that at least 15 people survived (non-combatants). Do you wonder how they felt when it was over? Fear? Overwhelming fatigue? Relief?

All wars have in common a struggle for independence. It may be independence from persecution, maltreatment, oppression, or genocide, to name a few. We, as Christians, have our battles to fight in this world. Externally, we are to stand for Christ so the world can see Him and be drawn to a relationship with Him. We have internal battles as well. One example is the battle to surrender. We are called to surrender to God, His plan, His timing, and ultimately His perfect will. If you are like me, surrender is a struggle for which I seek forgiveness…daily. But do you know what I feel when I let go of my will and lay it at the feet of my Heavenly Father? When I truly surrender, I become acutely aware of the fatigue from carrying burdens that are not mine to carry. Then sweet relief washes over me. There is relief in the surrender!

We are given an example of perfect submission in the Bible. In Matthew 26, we see Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Truly sinless, He submits to the will of His Father, even unto death. In my daily struggle to surrender to God, I am not up against such odds, but I am eternally grateful for the surrender of my Savior who was.

Surrendering to God’s will does not suggest we sit idly by, just waiting for it to make itself known. We are called to action! In Jeremiah 32:39, God tells us, “I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will go well for them and for their children after them.” There is much tribulation in our world right now. We, as Christians, are called to stand for Christ and take action in the midst of chaos. We are the “light of the world” (Matt 5:14). God gave us a spirit of power, not timidity (2 Tim 1:7).

Do not be deceived; lack of action on our part will not thwart God’s will. But what if Christians turn out en masse during the 2024 election year? (see Esther 4:14). It may be the most crucial election year in the history of our country and even the world. As Christians, we take action and VOTE, PRAY, and SURRENDER to God’s will for our country and the world. “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Special thanks to Chimene Fikkert for writing this week’s devotional.